Community Corner

Ice Dams and How to Prevent Them as the Weather Turns Colder

It's only November but they've already had snow in Vermont and it won't be long before the leaves are gone and the shovels are out.  

Here are some tips to help prevent ice dams and potentially expensive damage.

According to the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS), ice dams form when heat from the inside of the house enters the attic and warms the underside of the roof. As snow builds up on the topside, it melts, and the water runs down the roof. That water can freeze near the roof’s edge, forming an ice dam and forcing additional running water to back up underneath the roof covering.

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How to stop ice dams from forming:

  • Remove debris from gutters and drains so water can properly flow through them.
  • Be sure the ceiling is airtight to keep warm, moist air from flowing into the attic space.
  • Add ceiling and roof insulation to cut down on the amount of heat entering the attic.
  • Put weather-stripping around entryways to the attic, and make sure attic ducts, light fixtures, chimneys and fans are sealed off to stop heat from melting snow.

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